2003 Cannondale X440

Ultra-Rare American Motocross Icon

All Original Survivor

RUNS BUT NEEDS NEW HEAD GASKET

LEAKING COOLANT INTO COMBUSTION CHAMBER

If you’re looking for something truly different—something that represents a bold, ambitious moment in American motorcycle history—this is it.

A $80 MILLION EXPERIMENT… AND A COLLECTOR’S DREAM

Feast your eyes on the 2003 Cannondale X440, one of the most fascinating and rare motocross bikes ever built. Originally a bicycle company, Cannondale set out to revolutionize motocross—and they went all in.

• Over $80 million invested into development

• Only ~700 units produced total

• Just ~290 of the X440 model built

• Estimated $114,000+ cost per unit to produce

This wasn’t just a motorcycle—it was a moonshot. And today, it stands as a modern collectible artifact from one of the most ambitious projects in powersports history.

PROVENANCE & HISTORY

Originally sold by us to collector Chip Watkins (Watkins Motor Freight, FL)

• Purchased for $6,500 as a non-running original survivor

• Sent back to us for a full mechanical recommissioning

• $3,900 professional engine rebuild by our top technician

• Total investment: $10,500

• Only ~4 hours total ride time since new

We performed the work, documented it, and verified performance.

A full engine rebuild video is available on our YouTube channel and included with the bike.

FULL ENGINE SERVICE

The engine was completely dismantled and rebuilt, including:

• Pistons, rings, valves inspected/replaced as needed

• Full internal inspection and reassembly

• Dialed in and test ridden by our team

• UNFORTUNATELY 2 YEARS LATER AFTER SITTING IN THE MUSEUM, With LESS THAN 1 HOUR RIDE TIME SINCE ENGINE WAS SERVICED, the head gasket is leaking.

This is NOT a barn find gamble—this is a running example, but needs a new head gasket

SELLING AS IS WHERE IS

REVOLUTIONARY ENGINEERING (WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME)

The X440 was packed with innovation that influenced modern motocross design:

• Reverse engine layout (front intake / rear exhaust)

• Later adopted by bikes like the Yamaha YZ450F

• Ram-air intake system

• Fuel-injected (rare for the era)

• Electric start (NO kickstarter)

• Modular cassette-style transmission

HIGH-END FACTORY COMPONENTS

No expense was spared:

• Öhlins front forks & rear shock

• DID rims

• Nissin brakes (caliper & master)

• CNC billet triple clamps

• Nickel-plated exhaust

• Premium seat upholstery (above typical production standards)

Even the welds on the aluminum perimeter frame are aircraft-quality works of art.

ORIGINALITY & CONDITION

• 100% original, including factory tires

• Tires retained intentionally to verify ultra-low hours

• Estimated ~4 total hours of use

• Museum-level preservation

We do NOT replace original tires on bikes like this—because originality equals proof of low miles and adds value.

RACING PEDIGREE

Though short-lived, Cannondale made a push into pro racing:

• Raced in AMA Nationals

• Piloted by riders like Keith Johnson

While early reliability issues hurt the program, this final-year model benefited from improvements—including electric start.

A TRUE COLLECTOR PIECE

Let’s be honest—this isn’t just a dirt bike anymore:

It’s modern industrial art

It’s a piece of American engineering history

It’s one of the rarest production motocross bikes ever built

We’ve had only two of these in 15 years, including:

• One never fueled, zero-hour example (still in our museum)

• And this one—lightly ridden and fully sorted

PURCHASE OPTIONS

eBay Auction – Sold to the Highest Bidder

Or call Junior directly: 860-471-0192

Monday–Friday, 9AM–5PM

WHY BUY FROM US?

At Kaplan Cycles, we don’t just sell bikes—we curate, restore, and stand behind them.

• Expert mechanical inspection & restoration

• Transparent history & documentation

• Nationwide & international shipping available

• Decades of experience with rare and investment-grade motorcycles

• Concierge-level service before, during, and after the sale

FINAL WORD

The Cannondale X440 was a bold swing at changing motocross forever.

It didn’t succeed commercially—but it left behind one of the most unique machines ever built.

Extremely rare

Fully serviced

Investment-grade

Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history.

God bless America

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.